Father Khoi’s Books

I began writing my weekly reflections in 2010 as a way to pray (and fulfill a requirement for the spiritual formation program). It is the reason why this blog began and continues to exist. To be honest, those reflections personally helped me many times to see God’s presence in my life, even in the midst of many stormy seasons. I write because I hope my struggles and His grace at work can encourage people in their own spiritual journey, to know that He is with them and they are not alone… and He does speak to us in many different ways!

The thought of sharing my writings in a book format had been in my heart for a very long time, and many of my parishioners encouraged me to do so; however, I kept hesitating for multiple (personal) reasons. Many of those reservations were out of fear that I might garner too much unneeded attention. Nonetheless, I could not seem to shake off this thought for many years, and people kept encouraging me along the way. So, I took a leap of faith and went out of my comfort zone on the Memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe in 2025, trying to imitate his courage and asking the Blessed Mother on the eve of our commemoration of her Assumption for her intercession.

The first is geared toward how to be present and provide pastoral counseling in a pluralistic environment (putting the theological virtue of charity into action). The second is a series of reflections on my vocational and healing journey (growing and maturing through hope). The third is on prayer and discernment (to seek God and deepen the virtue of faith). The fourth is to encourage my brother priests to become more mission oriented, capable, and ready for the Kingdom. Personally speaking, the one on overcoming perfection was a blessing for me because I was able to put into words many of my childhood memories and calling, and how the good Lord was at work throughout my life’s trials, hardships, and failures.

I meant for them to be free, but Amazon does charge for their Kindle eBook and paperback formats, so I try to keep the prices very nominal (to cover the fees). However, the PDF files will always remain free for download. Additionally, any earnings from Amazon will be accounted for and shared with the poor (because God has blessed me more than what I will ever need in this life). These were composed to be easily shared, available, and hopefully help people along the Way, not to make money or gain attention for myself.

Please note that I am not a professional writer, knowledgeable theologian, or skilled spiritual master, so you will find numerous writing mistakes and grammatical errors. I would like to apologize ahead of time because I did not use AI, hire a professional to proofread, or worry about making everything look perfect. I read and watched a few tutorials and did my best to figure things out with my limited computer and design skills. I struggled through the process, but keeping things imperfect is a great reminder for me as a recovering perfectionist and of my humanity!

Please drop me an email or message me via a social media platform if you find them helpful. I would love to hear your thoughts! If you find them less than desirable, please forgive and continue to pray for me. Thank you.

COMMON GROUNDS, DIVINE ENCOUNTERS: The military defines spirituality as an individual’s ability to find meaning, purpose, and strength through life experience, drawing on personal values, sincerely held beliefs, and ethical frameworks. It is an inner set of foundations that helps a person remain resilient to endure, overcome, and persevere through adversity while maintaining a sense of hope and purpose. It seems very secularistic and vague from the Christian perspective, but this is the mission field we are entering each day as military chaplains. This brief guide provides eight different steps that a chaplain can use to reflect and creatively engage in pastoral care and counseling in a pluralistic environment.

PDF | Kindle eBook | Paperback

OVERCOMING PERFECTION: God has made my life an interesting one! He has a very BIG sense of humor by overturning every single big plan I made for myself. I shared bits and pieces of my vocational and healing journey through weekly reflections and homilies. This is the result of the composition to share with you in five life lessons of how He has patiently and lovingly helped me to overcome my false notion of perfection and control, to free me from my own self-created enslavement and comfort zone, and to follow Him more faithfully each day.

PDF | Kindle eBook | Paperback

FINDING GOD AND OURSELVES: There are many books written on prayer and discernment. I am not trying to reinvent the wheel, just to compose into one collection of my reflections over the years on spiritual growth and maturity, seeking God in times of loneliness, how to resist against desolation, discouragement, and despair, as well as my notes while praying with the Creighton squirrels. It also contains reflections on how to be anawim, the difference between Frodo and Gollum, and letting go of “My Precious” for the Most Precious. I hope it will assist you on your own spiritual journey in finding God, knowing and loving His will, as well as knowing who you truly are as His beloved, in order to persevere, grow, and mature in the journey of life.

PDF | Kindle eBook | Paperback

MISSION READY PRIESTS: Unlike the priests from the past, current parish priests are oftentimes being thrown into “hot water” with little to no administrative preparation. Military priests can tell you that we are expected to wear three “hats” to fulfill three distinctive roles! We have a threefold responsibility of being a priest, a chaplain, and an officer at the same time. With those threefold expectations in mind, and removing the military or bureaucratic nonsenses, I believe they can become a source of encouragement for priests to be spiritually, pastorally, and administratively effective in ministering, caring, and leading their parish communities and people at large as shepherds who know, understand, and can be present with those who are entrusted to them.